NEW MUSIC FOR OLDS #68
Check yourself for anti-Geordian bias
Hello there, friends (real and imagined). I have four wonderful new songs to share. But first, a couple of thingy-dings:
Like many of you, I am in the grips of election-related mania. It’s a duh-level cliche, but the best way to combat these feelings is to do some phone banking, door knocking, etc. In addition to helping the cause, it will distract your brain and your fingernails will be all the better for it.
Here’s one place to start. Or, simply click any of the 4000 text messages you’ve received in the past month.
If you’re annoyed I didn’t link to any GOP volunteer opportunities, I urge you to look into a mirror and ask how you became the way you are. And if you’re voting for Jill Stein, congratulations on burnishing your personal brand. Who’s the most ideologically pure fascist enabler? You are! You are!
Feel free to take it up with me here:
With that bit of potentially misplaced vitriol out of the way (we’re all a bit raw right now), I want to mention the challenges currently facing one of my personal heroes, Matthew Sweet.
As you may have read, Sweet suffered a debilitating stroke this week while on tour in Canada. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but he appears to be facing it with determination.
With the current state of things, there are a thousand ways to donate your time and money. But if you have the inclination, consider chipping in to his recovery. It’s terrifying that this man, who has written some of the greatest power pop songs of all time and has toured nonstop for the past 40 years, has no medical insurance. But that is the state of things. The GoFundMe set up by Sweet’s manager has raised almost $400,000, which seems like a lot. But with what he’s up against, that money will be eaten up in a heartbeat.
Again, here’s the link. Or, scan this QR code.
If for nothing else, do it for “I’ve Been Waiting”, as perfect a song as has been written.
Okay, let’s get to some new music.
I wrote the rest of this newsletter earlier in the week, as reflected in the more flippant tone. You’d never know I’ve been existing in a state of constant rage/fear/elation/paralysis!
GOOD STUFF
Oh look, a Glossary of Terms!
Christian Lee Hutson, “Carousel Horses”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Paradise Pop. 10
Nutshell: Rock
Voltage: 6
Thoughts: Whenever I encounter a musician who shares my name, I immediately think “This guy is probably a douche”. This is clearly something I should discuss with a therapist. Happily, this Kansas City songwriter is doing Christians proud (what?). Hutson makes me realize how much we miss Tom Petty. Not the person, but the musical archetype—that sturdy AOR radio rock you couldn’t help but enjoy, but not to the point of obsession. RIP the “monoculture”! Hutson’s singing voice is nowhere near as distinctive as Petty’s, but “Carousel Horses” feels like the kind of sunny and assured tune you’d find on Full Moon Fever or Wildflowers. Onward Christian soldier.
Pairing Suggestion: Running errands on a 70 degree day, with the odometer around 35mph
Starcleaner Reunion, “The Hand That I Put Down”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Café Life (E.P.)
Nutshell: Sci-fi hippie vibes
Voltage: 6
Thoughts: Sometimes an interesting band name is all it takes for me to click play. Notice I used the word interesting, because I’m still not sure “Starcleaner Reunion” qualifies as good. Honestly, it sounds like the an inside joke between you and your friends—the band whose drummer once fucked your ex, or whatever. But they incorporate a lot of the 90’s art student sounds I love, landing at a midpoint between My Bloody Valentine and Stereolab. There’s also a microdose of gentle psychedelia and ambient textures that make “The Hand That I Put Down” a sweet headphone experience. “Fat doob” optional.
Pairing Suggestion: Skipping through the space daisies
Field Music, “The Limits of Language”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: The Limits of Language
Voltage: 7
Thoughts: Fun-fact: People from the northeastern part of England are known as “Geordies”. I learned this by googling the port city of Sunderland, home of brothers David and Peter Brewis, functionally known as Field Music. The Geordie accent is, apparently, difficult to master. Even moreso “Mackem”, the Sunderlandian micro-accent. Speaking of idiosyncrasy (sweet transition, Finn), the music of Field Music is hard to pin down. It’s upper-middlebrow art rock, delivered with a power pop breeziness. Think mid-period Genesis (post-Gabriel, but still half-proggy), collaborating with Squeeze. Hey look, I nailed it down after all! My point is, if you don’t love this, check yourself for anti-Geordian bias.
Pairing Suggestion: Plunging yourself down a YouTube rabbit hole
HALT.
Don’t listen to this last song immediately after the other three. Take a moment to re-set your brain. Get up, make yourself a tea. Find a place where you definitely won’t be disturbed for four minutes and one second. Dim the lights.
You may now proceed.
Dawn Richard, Spencer Zahn, “Quiet in a World Full of Noise”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Quiet in a World Full of Noise
Nutshell: Ethereal soul music
Voltage: 2
Thoughts: Have you done what I asked? I have your best interests at heart, I swear. Because this beautiful wisp of a song might float by unregarded if heard under the wrong circumstances. The whole thing is just so delicate and restrained. I love it when “virtuosic” singers hold back—it’s like musical edging! I especially dig the end, when the naked piano tone emerges from the thick fog of reverb. I knew little about Dawn Richard and zilch about composer Spencer Zahn before being turned on to this by all-star NMFO commenter Hewitt Huntwork. Nice job, lifelong friendy. For the record, I’m intentionally burying a certain lede: five days before P Diddy’s recent criminal arrest, Richard sued him for sexual battery and assault. I certainly hope she gets justice, but this album deserves attention all on its own. EXTREMELY. GOOD. SHIT.
Pairing Suggestion: Lowering your heart rate
Speak, I beg of you!
Tell me how much you love me. Wait, I meant the songs. Tell me how much you love the songs!
That’s all for NMFO #68.
I can not, in all honesty, guarantee I’ll be in the proper state of mind to write a goofy music newsletter two weeks from now, or that you will be in the mindset to receive one. We all may be busy celebrating or commiserating or poring over recount data from Waukesha County. But I promise you this: Whenever it comes out, NMFO #69 will be…nice.
Viva Matthew Sweet.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE your emails. (i'm using all lower case to really amplify my love) I actually like the music you select to introduce us to and all your blurbs are really funny and entertaining. Definitely the highlight of my Fridays! Thank you!
Dug the Starcleaner track, was more guitar-based than I was expecting, which really gave it a 90s hippie sound, reminded me of Teenage Fanclub for some reason? The Field Music track to me sounded like an OMD song that never got to the OMD chorus 😜